All India Football Federation Announces Super Cup 2025 Starting April 21 in Bhubaneswar

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All India Football Federation Announces Super Cup 2025 Starting April 21 in Bhubaneswar

Synopsis

The All India Football Federation has officially announced that the Super Cup 2025 will commence on April 21 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, marking an exciting event in Indian football with a new knockout format.

Key Takeaways

  • Super Cup 2025 kicks off on April 21 in Bhubaneswar.
  • 16 teams will compete in a knockout format.
  • Winners qualify for the 2025-26 AFC Champions League 2.
  • Organizers faced criticism for the late announcement.
  • Manolo Marquez stresses the need for better scheduling.

Bhubaneswar (Odisha), March 5 (NationPress) The Super Cup 2025, India's premier annual football tournament, is scheduled to take place in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, starting April 21, as confirmed by the All India Football Federation on Wednesday.

This prestigious 16-team club tournament will adopt a knock-out format, a shift from previous years that featured a group stage followed by elimination rounds. This edition will see participation from all 13 Indian Super League (ISL) teams along with three I-League clubs.

The victor of this tournament will now gain entry into the 2025-26 AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) Playoffs, replacing the previous reward of a spot in the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Cup, thus offering Indian clubs a significant opportunity to shine on a continental level.

Introduced in 2018 as a successor to the Federation Cup, Bhubaneswar has hosted three of the last four editions of the Super Cup. The inaugural tournament in 2018 was clinched by Bengaluru FC, with FC Goa winning the following year. After a three-year break, Odisha FC emerged victorious in 2023.

In the preceding 2024 tournament, dubbed the Kalinga Super Cup, East Bengal triumphed after 12 years, securing their first title by defeating Odisha FC 3-2 in extra time at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

With only two weeks remaining in the 2024-25 ISL season, the Super Cup will follow the playoffs of India's top domestic league.

Organizers faced criticism for the late announcement regarding the tournament's status. Manolo Marquez, head coach of India and FC Goa, emphasized the need for better scheduling practices.

"Improving this aspect is crucial for India. We require clarity on the schedule, calendar, and fixtures to effectively plan training, rest periods, and optimal training loads for our players. This is vital for their physical well-being and health," remarked Manolo.